"Shishi Shabbat Yisraeli", an organization working to support Russian-speaking Olim, inaugurated a new center in the heart of Tel Aviv in a festive ceremony. The center, serving as a central hub for the organization’s activities, is expected to become a welcoming meeting point for hundreds of young Russian-speaking Olim.
The event was attended by Olim from Russia and Ukraine who arrived in Israel during the war in Gaza. The ceremony focused on the connection between past and present and the unifying power of the song "Maoz Tzur" to bring hope and unity.
The hymn "Maoz Tzur" is traditionally sung during Hanukkah after lighting the candles on the Hannukah menorah. Written in the Middle Ages, it has been adopted by Jewish communities worldwide.
The guest of honor at the event was Rabbi Yisrael Lau, a Holocaust survivor, who shared a personal story. He recounted the first time he heard "Maoz Tzur" during his childhood in the Buchenwald concentration camp, where he was the only Jewish child.
One of the camp’s inmates, an elderly Jewish man, gathered buttons, scraps of fabric, and a bit of oil to craft a makeshift menorah. After completing it, the man declared, “Today is Hanukkah,” lit the menorah, and began to sing "Maoz Tzur." The congregation joined him in song, leaving a lasting impression on Rabbi Lau.
"When I arrived in Israel, I heard 'Maoz Tzur' again," Rabbi Lau said with a choked voice. "I then understood the true meaning of the song, its power to unite people and its ability to bring hope even in the darkest times."
Rabbi Lau addressed the new Olim, saying, "You are singing 'Maoz Tzur' today in a free country, in your home. This is a great miracle. We must continue to give thanks for these miracles, build our families here, and remain in this land forever."
Rabbi Lau’s words resonated deeply with the new Olim. Natasha, a new immigrant from Russia, shared: "When I arrived in Israel, I felt as though I had returned home. The song 'Maoz Tzur,' played during the ceremony, reminded me of my grandmother's stories about the Holocaust.
"Despite the years that have passed, the connection between generations and the suffering we endured remains strong. Hearing it again today makes me feel part of something much bigger, part of one family."
"Shishi Shabbat Yisraeli" founder Linda Paredes Friedburg celebrated the opening of the new center, saying, "This is a historic day for our organization. The new center in Tel Aviv will serve as a home for our community, enabling us to continue supporting new Olim, strengthening their Jewish identity and helping them integrate into Israeli society.
"'Shishi Shabbat Yisraeli' was established to create a supportive community for young Russian-speaking Olim, and since its founding over a decade ago, we have helped thousands of young people build their lives in Israel."
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"Shishi Shabbat Yisraeli" is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting Russian-speaking Olim in Israel. The organization offers a wide range of social, educational and Zionist activities, including seminars, trips, holiday celebrations, and cultural events.
The event served as a reminder that history is not just a series of events but a profound human story. It highlighted the importance of passing down memory from generation to generation and preserving the connection between the past and the present.